Thursday, 20 March: A wrap of news and developments in Karnataka— BJP MLAs, including R Ashoka and CN Ashwat Narayan, urged Governor Thawarchand Gehlot to withhold assent to the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, citing governance concerns.
Published Mar 20, 2025 | 11:03 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 20, 2025 | 7:08 PM
Synopsis: In Thursday’s news wrap of Karnataka — BJP MLAs, including R Ashoka and CN Ashwat Narayan, urged Governor Thawarchand Gehlot to withhold assent to the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, citing governance concerns. Meanwhile, DK Shivakumar met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi to discuss building 100 Congress offices in Karnataka. In Bidar, a Kalyana Karnataka Transport Corporation bus caught fire, but no casualties occurred.
BJP MLAs including R Ashoka, and CN Ashwath Narayan submitted a letter to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Wednesday, 19 March, requesting him not to give assent to the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill.
Despite strong opposition from both the BJP and JD(S), the state government has moved forward with passing the Bill. The Opposition has raised concerns over its implications for governance in Bengaluru.
In the background of setting up Congress party offices in 100 assembly segments in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar met Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the party in Delhi.
“I have asked them to give their precious time for the bhoomi puja of the new Congress Bhavan. Preparations are being made to build 100 Congress offices. We are planning to hold bhoomi puja in the presence of Rahul Gandhi,” said Shivakumar.
When asked if he had discussed the party’s development in the state with the high command, he said, “Instructions have been given to hold a meeting of Congress party workers under the leadership of the district-in-charge minister, and meetings will be held in all constituencies after the assembly session ends.”
“All developments in the state are in the high command’s attention. The matter of the workers’ meeting has been conveyed. They have instructed that the minutes of the meeting should be given,” he added.
When asked if there was any discussion on the transfer of power, he said, “There is no such news. We are not going to talk about it. The high command has only said to hold local body elections.”
A Kalyana Karnataka Transport Corporation bus travelling from Bidar to Aurad caught fire near Kappikare village cross near Santpura.
The fire started in the bus engine and quickly spread, but no casualties were reported as the driver and conductor evacuated all passengers in time. Fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and extinguished the flames. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
A shocking video from Udupi’s Malpe showing a woman tied to a tree and beaten over alleged fish theft went viral on 19 March. The incident reportedly took place on 18 March.
Police have arrested four people and registered an FIR against those involved. The woman, identified as Laxmi Bai from Vijayanagar district, was seen being slapped by a man in the viral video.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reacting to the video, condemned the act, calling it barbaric and inhumane. He stated, “Whatever the reason, tying a woman’s hands and feet and assaulting her is a serious crime. Such behaviour is unacceptable in a civilized society.”
The CM has directed the police to conduct a thorough investigation and warned that the government will not tolerate mob justice.
Arvind Bellad, BJP MLA and opposition leader, has raised concerns about the exploitation of young workers in Bengaluru’s IT sector under the guise of apprenticeships.
Bellad criticised IT firms for paying low wages to apprentices while requiring them to perform full-time work without essential benefits such as Provident Fund (PF), health insurance, or paid leave.
“The IT firms are exploiting our youth in the name of ‘apprenticeships,’” Bellad said. “Young workers are being paid meagre wages, yet they are expected to work like full-time employees, with no basic rights or benefits.”
Bellad also highlighted the deceptive practices of these companies, which often promise permanent job positions to college students but hire them only as apprentices. “These companies continue to benefit from the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, but their actions are destroying the future of our youth,” he added.
The BJP MLA emphasised that many students are recruited under the false promise of permanent jobs, only to find themselves replaced by new apprentices after their training period ends. This leaves the previous batch jobless overnight, he explained.
A modern sheep slaughterhouse in Shira Taluk, Tumkur District, is set to open soon. With the capacity to process 1,500 sheep daily, the facility will significantly benefit local sheep herders by reducing transportation costs.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda highlighted that the project will also generate employment opportunities for 150-200 youth in the region. The inauguration of the facility is anticipated to provide both economic growth and job prospects to the local community.
Starting 1 April, electricity bills in Karnataka will rise by 36 paise per unit following an order from the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).
This increase is aimed at addressing the pension and gratuity dues of employees from the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) and ESCOMs, in line with a Karnataka High Court ruling.
Congress MLA Sharan Prakash Patil clarified that the hike will not impact consumers under the Gruha Jyoti scheme, which provides free electricity up to 200 units. The hike will affect users who exceed this limit.
Energy Minister KJ George defended the tariff hike, stating that it was a result of a court order and not a government decision.
He explained that the changes were necessary to allow ESCOMs to recover unpaid dues, following a legal battle with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI).
BJP President BY Vijayendra criticised the government, arguing that the continuous price hikes are burdening the citizens of the state.
This tariff hike follows a recent increase in water charges by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), adding to the growing concerns about rising living costs in Karnataka.
